Therapeutic electrode



(No Model.)

J. S. MUIR. 8 THERAPBUTIG BLEGTRODB.

Patented Mar. 8, 1898.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.IOIAIN S. MUIR, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

TH ERAPEUTIC ELECTRODE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,290, dated March 8, 1898.

Application iiled August 24,1897. Serial No. 649,334. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN S. MUIR, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Therapeutic Electrodes; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a novel method of constructing therapeutic electrodes for the especial purpose of introducing medicinal and chemical substances into the tissues of the human body through the agency of electricityi for therapeutical effects.

It consists in a means for producing such effects through the agency of voltaic or constant currents of electricity by what is known as catophoric medication, electric osmosis, or anodal diffusion.

It also consists in the construction of therapeutic electrodes for the purpose of effecting electrolysis or the electrochemical decomposition of electrolytic substances through the agency of electrical currents Within the body of the electrode, and also a means for simultaneous didusion of one or more of the products of this electrolysis into these tissues of the body adjacent to the electrode.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal section of my apparatus. Fig. 2 is an exterior view and partial section, showing one form of insulating-coating. Fig. 3 is a view showing another form of the same.

My electrode consists, essentially, of an electrochemical decomposing-cell A of suitable form and construction to adapt it to the anatomical portion of the human body upon which it is designed to operate. This decomposing-cell is, as here shown, formed of unglazed earthenware or baked pipe-clay and is sufficiently porous to affect the osmosis of liquids. It will be manifest that any electronen-conducting material may be employed in the construction of the cell which will produce this result, the essential requirement being porosity to liquid electrolytes. As here shown, the cell is hollow and preferably rounded at one end. This rounded end has a small opening F for the introduction of the liquid electrolyte. The opposite end is closed by a stopper or plug B, secured therein by ered with insulating material c and forms the stem of the electrode. The end of the rod C is left uncovered and is split or slotted, as shown at D. The split allows a certain elasticity in this portion of the rod, and the end being rounded it is adapted to slip into a metal socket or sleeve l), which forms the interior of the handle E. This handle may be of wood, ivory, vulcanite, or any other suitable material, and the tube is permanently secured to the interior. This tube is in electrical contact at G with a flexible electroconducting-cord II. The other end of the tube is of suitable interior diameter to receive the split or slotted projecting portion of the rod, which extends into the electrode, so that when the two are joined together by inserting the slotted portion of the rod into the tube the frictional resistance will be sufficient to hold them close together. This resistance can always be regulated by spreading or closing the slot in the rod. This device provides a ready means for attaching the electrode to the handle or detaching it therefrom, and it also allows of the interchangeability of electrodes of different form, size, density, dac., all of which can be applied to the same handle.

The interior of the electrode or porous cell A forms a space which is adapted to contain the electrolytic fluid to be used. It may, if desired, contain some form of absorbent material-such as asbestos, cotton ber, charcoal, coke, or other substance-the object of which is to' mechanically suspend the electrolytic tluid and maintain it in intimate contact with the electroconducting-rod C.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the insulation of the electrode in different forms. In both cases the insulating material covers that portion of the electrode marked I, and it may consist of an enamel or insulating varnish of any kind, the object being to expose a certain portion only of the electrode in its porous condition, through which portion the electrolytic action fand osmosis takes place. 'This efnables me to limit the therapeutic action of the electrode to any desired extent. It willl be understood that this insulation is used to limit the amount of surface exposed for difk fusive action, the uninsulated portion beingg the partthrough which diffusion is effected.

In the practical application or use of this-f electrode the porous containing Vessel or cell is filled with a suitable electrolytic fluid 3 through the small aperturemade a-t the round'- i ed outer end, and the4 hole is then closed by i a plug of Wax or by other means. The 'el'ecl trode thus charged is introduced or placed 1with its uninsulated portion in contact with Athfe part to be treated'or in close proximity to completed through the body by means of fa su'itabl'e'cutaneous electrode in 'electricaflconnection with the yopposite pole 'of the .battery yor generator. Some form of cur-rent-"colrtroller, such as is well known, Imay be included -i-n the circuit, so that the current can be Eprofperly regu-lated. Electrochemical decornqgi'osition of the electrolytic fluide'ccurs "at the 'surface 'of the -felectroconducting-rod C Within l the cell A. The electropositive ions will lbe 1 liberated within 1the cell and at the surface Iof the electroconducting-rod C. The lelectronegative ions Will diffuse into lthe tissuesin the direction of the cutaneous Ielectrode and in ,proportion Zto 'thestrength of the 'current t yand the length of time in which the Icurrent Patent, is;-

l. A'iherapeuticelec'trode consisting of an Eelectrochemical decomposing-cell of porous material adapted to `contain an lelectrolytifc` .Iifuid an felectroconducting rod extending there-into, and means whereby a current may 1 be passed through the electrolyte within the l poro-us cell. i 2. A therapeutic electrode consisting offa ho'llow Iporous 4cell having la Ycl'osa-bl'e opening 1 'y through which the cell may be lcharged with l an-e'lectrolytic fluid,-acentrally-disposedrelecthrough which the cell may be charged, a conducting-rod lextending axially into the cell through the closed 'opposite end thereof,said rod projecting through an insulated inclosing 'envel'o'p vand having the projecting end split las shown, 4vin 'combination with an insul'a'ted handle having an interior conducting cylindrical surface adapted to fit and grasp the split end of the rod, and electrical connection between said interior surface an-'d the battery Ior generator.

4. A therapeutic electrode consisting of a hollow porous cell'so shaped as t'o-iit the tisfsue to which it is to be applied 'and adapted to contain an electrolyti'c huid, an opening in 'one end through which the cell is charged, a conducting-rod passing through the kopposite closed 'end of the cell and 'axially disposed therein, connection between th'e outer end of said rod and an electrical 'generator and a non-'conducting coating applied to the exterior of the cell whereby the porous fand acting 'surface is restricted land shaped to lfit the part to which it is to be applied.

=5. 'A therapeutic "elect-rode 'consisting of a hollow porous 'cell having a closableopening through which the y'cell Amay be charged, 'an electrocondu'ctor extending into the cell, an insulating-coating for the 'exterior portion of the conductor, fand 'a means by which. it may be 'connected with ian electrical generator.

in witness whereof I -have hereunto setrny hand.

JOHN S. MUIR.

Witnesses:

Guo. H. STRONG, iS. H. Nounsln. 

